Clásico Clash: Vinicius Sparks Locker Room Tension After Substitution
27 October 2025
Clásico Clash: Vinicius Sparks Locker Room Tension After Substitution
A fresh flare erupted at Real Madrid during the Clasico as Brazilian star Vinicius Junior openly fumed at coach Xabi Alonso after being substituted in the 70th minute. He left the pitch for the locker room instead of returning to the bench, signaling clear discontent.
According to Sport, the late-game tension surfaced when Alonso pulled Vinicius and brought on Rodrygo, a change that surprised the winger and sparked a strong reaction that is sure to fuel debate in the coming weeks.
When Vinicius saw his number on the fourth official's board, he appeared stunned and voiced his protest with gestures and words as he walked off the field, without exchanging a greeting with the coach.
Alonso, by contrast, kept his focus on the match, while teammates tried to pacify Vinicius as he initially refused the bench and headed straight to the dressing room, only later returning with a grim look.
As he departed, Vinicius shouted profanity aimed at Alonso, a sign of mounting frustration and the high emotions of a Clasico.
This was not the first time Vinicius has bristled at substitutions; Alonso tends to rotate earlier than some players, which has stirred a sense of being singled out.
The report highlighted that Vinicius muttered "Me? Me?" as if stunned by another substitution, while the locker room conversations reflected a contrast with Mbappe, who is rarely taken off in similar situations.
In additional footage aired by DAZN, Vinicius yells "It's always me! I'm leaving the team," while Alonso answers with a firm "Come on, Viní, focus" signaling his frustration with the moment.
Alonso later minimized the incident, noting the positives: the win, the team’s resilience, and the mental strength on display, while stressing there is no liberation from pressure.
The coach praised his players’ discipline and lionhearted defending, and he credited the Bernabéu atmosphere for fueling a performance that keeps the project moving forward.
In closing, Alonso reserved special praise for Jude Bellingham for his goal and assist, noting that the England international thrives on instinct, pace and emotional influence within matches.
Punchline time: If football had a therapist, the bench would come with quarterly sessions and a box of tissues for substitutions. Punchline two: in football, the locker room has a group chat—high voltage emojis and referee memes included.
